movies
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In conversation with Colin Hankenson: if you film it, they will watch
From a young age, director and screenwriter Colin Hankenson knew he had a story to tell. “My family would love to attest to this. I’ve always loved hamming it up, performing, and doing all that other stuff. Just presenting fun stories and ideas,” says Hankenson. Starting with childhood performances in his grandmother’s house to making…
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In conversation with Shrike and Thorn Productions: how a passion for creativity fosters community
Macedonia Alexis and Evan Sims were raised with stories. Growing up with access to all kinds of media, storytelling was infused into the very marrow of their existence. “We both watched the classic Pixar and DreamWorks movies growing up. Emperor’s New Groove definitely played a part in forming our sense of humor,” Sims explained, “I…
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In conversation with Chris Messineo: bringing ‘The Strange Dark’ to light
Before movies ever felt like a career path, they felt like a kind of magic for Chris Messineo. Growing up, Messineo believed the people who made films lived somewhere far away on the West Coast, in a world that felt unreachable. It wasn’t until his twenties, as independent film began flourishing outside of Hollywood, that…
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RiverJAM’s ‘Listening Room’ brings original music of Jake Thistle, Erik Mason, and Johnny Kasun to Red Bank, NJ
On November 12, 2025, the New Jersey-based nonprofit RiverJAM Music will host The Listening Room: Songs & Stories, a special evening that will feature New Jersey artists Jake Thistle, Erik Mason, and Johnny Kasun. With doors opening at 6 pm, attendees have the chance to talk with the performers and grab a quick bite before…
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In conversation with Juli Wert: the life and art of ‘Like A Fire That Consumes All of It’
For filmmaker Juli Wert, Like A Fire That Consumes All of It is more than just a short film; it’s a time capsule. Recorded over a span of six months, Like A Fire brewed for three years before ever seeing the light of day. Or, in this case, the light of screens. Wert sifted through…
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In conversation with Emili Weintraub: from crime docs to cult classics
Emili Weintraub didn’t set out to become a filmmaker; she pivoted from a degree in criminology to a master’s in film directing, bringing her bold aesthetics, unique voice, and artistic acumen to film sets in Staten Island. “Honestly, I had no idea what I wanted to do,” she admits. While her love of crime documentaries…
